Overview
- Portugal routed Uzbekistan 5-0 in Houston on Tuesday as Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice to open the match and add a second-half goal that made him the first player to score at six different FIFA World Cups.
- One of Ronaldo’s goals was set up by Bruno Fernandes, who recorded an assist and entered the tournament on the back of a record 21-assist Premier League season in 2025–26.
- Ronaldo’s brace moved him to 10 World Cup goals, made him Portugal’s top World Cup scorer in reported tallies, and made him the second-oldest player to score at a World Cup behind Roger Milla.
- Reactions were immediate and mixed, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino publicly congratulating Ronaldo, pundit Zlatan Ibrahimovic mocking his ‘I’m back’ celebration, and fans in places like Kozhikode celebrating on the streets.
- The win boosts Portugal’s goal difference and group standing and shifts the focus to Saturday’s match with Colombia, a tougher opponent that will clarify whether Portugal’s form and momentum can be sustained.